Ayrton takes a superb pair of seconds in the EVO class

Team Bimota Alstare rider Ayrton Badovini finished runner-up in the EVO class of both World Superbike Championship races at a scorchingly hot Misano today. He also ended 12th overall in the first race and 11th overall in the second.

His team mate, Christian Iddon, started both races from the seventh row of the grid, but rode strongly in race one to finish 17th overall and 5th in the EVO class. He was on course for a better result in race 2, but highsided on lap 3 and was unable to continue.

“In the first race, I had a little clutch problem and my start was a normal one, rather than a great one. In race two, I made a good start, but I touched a couple of other riders and that upset my rhythm for a lap or two. I then settled down to a good race pace and was able to have a good fight with a group of riders – and it felt good that I could compete with them.

I am happy with my two runner-up spots in the EVO class today. The temperatures were very high and that could’ve caused some problems, but my bike worked well and my condition was good at the end. Our bike continues to improve and the good thing is that we know which areas we need to work on, so I am sure that our future will be good. The gap between our bike and the competition is not big and I think we will become more and more competitive. I would like to dedicate my results today to Francis Batta.”

Christian Iddon – Race 1: 17th overall, 5th EVO class

“I feel quite positive about today, even though I only completed a couple of laps in race 2. Starting from so far down the grid is always a struggle, especially as the level of the competition is so high. It was difficult to get into a good rhythm at the start of the first race, but after about four laps, I managed to settle down to a good pace. I had a little bit of a chatter in the last corner, but apart from that the bike worked pretty well.

Race 2 started well and I had a better feeling about the bike because we fixed the chatter problem. There was a definite improvement and I was really looking forward to the race. Somebody began to hold me up and I got a bit too eager to get past and highsided. It was a slow speed highside and I got banged about a bit, but that was all. It was a shame because I’m sure I could’ve improved on my race one result.”